High efficiency flipping window-bridge air conditioners and heat pumps

ABSTRACT

A combination of high efficiency ductless air conditioners and heat pumps installed in a window opening. A metal frame, mounted over the sill like a bridge, structurally links an indoor unit and outdoor unit. Flexible tubing inside the frame operationally connects the units. The outdoor unit is flexibly connected to the frame so it can be “flipped” 90 degrees from a horizontal position to a downward vertical position and vice versa. Thereby the length of the outdoor unit is not limited by the dimensions of the window opening. Hence the outdoor unit can have a large condenser and coils with large surface to achieve high efficiency. The indoor unit is slidably connected to the frame so it can be slided towards or away from the outdoor unit. The frame is secured to the window opening via a security bar. The indoor unit further enhances efficiency through 3-side air return.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 62/605,863 filed Aug. 31, 2017, entitled HIGH EFFICIENCY FLIPPING WINDOW-BRIDGE AIR CONDITIONERS AND HEAT PUMPS. Which provisional patent application is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to air conditioners and heat pumps. More particularly, it relates to ductless air conditioners and heat pumps installed in a window opening of a structure.

Description of Prior Art

Window-mounted air-conditioners are often low efficient because their sizes are limited by the dimensions of the window opening. In addition, they generally do not come with heat pumps and therefore are suitable only for summer use. Moreover, most air conditioners are mounted at the lower window opening and secured by the upper window flame. Consequently, sunlight is blocked, window-view cannot be enjoyed and the upper window cannot be opened. What's more, window-mounted air-conditioners tend to be very noisy in operation. Therefore, a need exits for high efficiency window-mounted air conditioners and heat pumps which do not have the aforementioned drawbacks.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In the first aspect, what is invented is high efficiency ductless air conditioners and heat pumps which are installed in a window opening of a structure. Specifically, it is a combination of an indoor unit, an outdoor unit and a metal frame which links the indoor unit and the outdoor unit together. The metal frame is mounted over the sill of the window opening, like a “bridge” with the indoor unit inside of the structure and the outdoor unit outside of the structure.

One feature distinguishes the present invention from prior art is that the outdoor unit is flexibly connected to the metal frame and can be “flipped” 90 degrees from a horizontal position to a downward vertical position and vice versa. Consequently, the outdoor unit can be pushed through the window opening of the structure while the outdoor unit is in a horizontal position. Once the outdoor unit is outside of the structure, it can be “flipped” 90 degrees from the horizontal position to a downward vertical position, and secured to the metal frame as it remains in the downward vertical position. When removing the outdoor unit from outside of the structure to inside of the structure, the outdoor unit can be “flipped” 90 degrees from the downward vertical position to a horizontal position and taken inside through the window opening. Since the outdoor unit can be “flipped” 90 degrees from a horizontal position to a downward vertical position and vice versa, the length of the outdoor unit is not limited by the dimensions of the window opening. Hence the outdoor unit can achieve high efficiency by having a large condenser and coils with large surface.

Another feature of the current invention is how the distance between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit is adjusted to fit different wall depths. The indoor unit is slidably connected to the metal frame so that it can he slided towards or away from the outdoor unit.

Yet another feature of the current invention is how the metal frame is secured to the window opening. The metal frame is secured to the window opening via an adjustable security bar. The security bar is affixed to the metal frame but it is slidable in opposite directions on the metal frame and can be extended or retracted in length. So the ends of the security bar can be affixed to the window frame or the interior wall, thereby the metal frame is secured to the window opening.

Still another feature of the present invention is that flexible tubing is placed inside the metal frame and it operationally links the indoor unit with the outdoor unit.

An additional feature of the present invention is that the indoor unit has 3-side air return with either A-shaped or U-shaped coils. This further enhances the efficiency of the indoor unit because the overall size of air return grilles is increased.

In the second aspect, what is invented is a method to install ductless air conditioners and heat pumps in a window opening of a structure. The method consists of the following: connecting the indoor unit with the outdoor unit together via a metal frame; mounting the metal frame over the sill of the window opening with the outdoor unit towards the window opening; pushing the outdoor unit through the window opening while the outdoor unit is in a horizontal position so that the length of the outdoor unit is not limited by the dimensions of the window opening; when the outdoor unit is outside of the structure, “flipping” the outdoor unit 90 degrees from the horizontal position to a downward vertical position, so that the indoor unit is inside of the structure, the outdoor unit is outside of the structure and the metal frame is mounted over the window sill like a “bridge”; securing the outdoor unit to the metal frame as the outdoor unit remains in the downward vertical position; sliding the indoor unit towards or away from the outdoor unit until the indoor wall holdings and the outdoor wall holdings can rest tightly against the surfaces of the structure; adjusting the security bar to secure the metal frame to the interior of the window frame or the interior of the structure; if the exterior wall is uneven, adjusting the length of the protruding portion of the outdoor fall holdings so that the outdoor wall holdings rest tightly against the exterior of the structure.

The present invention provides the following advantages:

The present invention can achieve high efficiency: AC unit up to 23 seer and heat pump up to 11 HSPF. Since the outdoor unit is capable of being “flipped” 90 degrees from a horizontal position to a downward vertical position and vice versa, the length of the outdoor unit is not limited by the dimensions of the window opening. Therefore the outdoor unit can have a large condenser and have coils with large surface so that high efficiency can he achieved. In addition, 3-side air return within the indoor unit further enhances efficiency by increasing the overall size of air return grilles.

The present invention is easy and safe to install and remove. No professional knowledge in HVAC is needed. No excessive labor is required. In addition, the present invention works quietly. Furthermore, since the metal frame and the security bar are only a few inches in height, lower windows can be opened, window-view can be enjoyed and more light can go through the window opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the outdoor unit being in a horizontal position and the indoor unit being slidably connected to the metal frame.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of how the outdoor unit can be pushed through a window opening in a horizontal position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of how the outdoor unit can be “flipped” 90 degrees from a horizontal position to a downward vertical position and vice versa, how the indoor unit is slidably connected to the metal frame and how the outdoor wall holding can be adjusted.

FIG. 4A is another perspective view of the outdoor unit being in a horizontal position.

FIG. 4B is another perspective view of the outdoor unit being “flipped” from a horizontal position to a downward vertical position and vice versa.

FIG. 4C is another perspective view of the outdoor unit being in a downward vertical position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of how the window-bridge system is mounted over the window sill.

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of how the window-bridge system is mounted over the window sill.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the security bar.

FIG. 7B is another perspective view of how the security bar can be moved back and forth on the metal frame and can be extended or retracted in length.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of how the security bar is secured over the window frame.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of how the security bar is secured on the interior wall.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the indoor unit containing A-shaped coils and flexible tubing operationally connecting the indoor unit and the outdoor unit.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the indoor unit containing U-shaped coils and flexible tubing operationally connecting the indoor unit and the outdoor unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description is as follows:

In the first aspect, what is invented is ductless air conditioners and heat pumps installed in a window opening of a structure. As FIG. 1 shows, when installing ductless air conditioners and heat pumps in the window opening of a structure, a metal frame (3) is used to link the indoor unit (1) and the outdoor unit (2) together. One feature distinguishes the current invention from prior art is that the outdoor unit (2) is flexibly connected to the metal frame (3) so that it (2) can be “flipped” 90 degrees from a horizontal position to a downward vertical position and vice versa. FIG. 1 shows the outdoor unit (2) in a horizontal position while it (2) is connected with the indoor unit (1) via the metal frame (3). FIG. 2 illustrates when installing ductless air conditioners and heat pumps in the window opening of a structure, the outdoor unit (2) can be pushed through the window opening in a horizontal position. FIG. 3 pictures how the outdoor unit (2) can be “flipped” 90 degrees from a horizontal position to a downward vertical position and vice versa. FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C demonstrate from another perspective how the outdoor unit (2) can be “flipped” 90 degrees from a horizontal position to a downward vertical position and vice versa. Once the outdoor unit (2) is outside of the window opening and “flipped” to a downward vertical position, as FIG. 5 illustrates, it (2) can be secured to the metal frame (3) while it (2) remains in the downward vertical position; thereby., the metal frame (3) is mounted over the window sill like a “bridge” with the outdoor unit (2) outside of the structure and the indoor unit (1) inside of the structure.

Another feature differentiates the current invention from prior art is that the indoor unit (1) is slidably connected to the metal frame (3) so that the indoor unit (1) can be slided err opposite directions towards or away from the outdoor unit (3). FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 show how the indoor unit (1) is slidably connected to the metal frame (3) so that the distance between the indoor unit (1) and the outdoor unit (2) can he increased or decreased accordingly. One advantage of this slidable feature of the indoor unit (1) is that the distance between the indoor unit (1) and the outdoor (2) can be easily adjusted to fit the depths of different wall structures. After the outdoor unit (2) is outside of the structure and secured to the metal frame (3) in a downward vertical position, the indoor unit (1) can be slidably adjusted towards or away from the outdoor unit (2) until, as FIG. 6 shows, the indoor wall holdings (4) and the outdoor wall holdings (5) can rest tightly against the wall structure. If the exterior surface is uneven, the length of the protruding portion of the outdoor wall holdings (5) can be adjusted, as demonstrated by FIG. 3, so that the outdoor wall holdings (5) can rest tightly against the exterior wall (FIG. 6).

Another feature differentiates the current invention from prior art is that the metal frame (3) has a security bar (6) affixed on it (FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B) and the metal frame (3) is secured by the security bar (6) to the interior of the window frame (FIG. 8) or the interior of the structure (FIG. 9). FIG. 7B shows the security bar (6) is slidable in opposite directions on the metal frame (3) and expendable/retractable in length so that the security bar (6) can be affixed against the interior of the window frame or the interior of the structure. FIG. 8 shows the security bar (6) is affixed over the window frame, thereby securing the metal frame (3). FIG. 9 pictures the security bar (6) is affixed against the interior wall, thereby securing the metal frame (3).

An additional feature of the present invention is that, as FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show, flexible tubing (7) is placed inside of the metal frame (3) and operationally connects the indoor unit (1) with the outdoor unit (2).

Yet another feature distinguishes the present invention from prior art is that the indoor unit (1) has 3-side air return. FIG. 10 pictures the indoor unit (1) has A-shaped coils (8) with 3-side air return in the front, in the back and at the bottom of the unit. FIG. 11 shows, as an alternative, the indoor unit (1) has U-shaped coils (10) with 3-side air return on the top, in the back and at the bottom of the unit. FIG. 10 shows that A-shaped coils (8) have a drain pump (9) and FIG. 11 demonstrates that U-shaped coils (10) have direct draining (11).

In the second aspect, what is invented is a method to install ductless air conditioners and heat pumps in a window opening of a structure. The method consists of the following: as FIG. 1 shows, connecting the indoor unit (1) with the outdoor unit (2) together via a metal frame (3); as FIG. 2 demonstrates, mounting the metal frame (3) over the sill of the window opening with the outdoor unit (2) towards the window opening and pushing the outdoor unit (2) through the window opening while the outdoor unit (2) is in a horizontal position so that the length of the outdoor unit (2) is not limited by the dimensions of the window opening; as FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 picture, when the outdoor unit (2) is outside of the structure, “flipping” the outdoor unit (2) 90 degrees from the horizontal position to a downward vertical position, so that, as FIG. 5 shows, the indoor unit (1) is inside of the structure, the outdoor unit (2) is outside of the structure and the metal frame (3) is mounted over the window sill like a “bridge”; securing the outdoor unit (2) to the metal frame (3) as the outdoor unit (2) remains in the downward vertical position; sliding the indoor unit (1) towards or away from the outdoor unit (3) until, as FIG. 6 shows, the indoor wail holdings (4) and the outdoor wail holdings (5) can rest tightly against the surfaces of the structure; as FIG. 7B demonstrates, adjusting the security bar (6) by sliding it (6) back and forth on the metal frame (3) and by extending or retracting it (6) so that the security bar (6) can be affixed to the interior of the window frame (FIG. 9) or the interior of the structure (FIG. 10) and thereby securing the metal frame (3); if the exterior wall is uneven, adjusting the length of the protruding portion of the outdoor wall holdings (5), as FIG. 3 shows, so that the outdoor wall holdings (5) can rest tightly against the exterior of the structure. What is claimed is: 

1. Ductless air conditioners and heat pumps installed in a window opening of a structure, comprising: a. An indoor unit; b. An outdoor unit; c. A metal frame linking the indoor unit and the outdoor unit together; d. The metal frame mounted over the window sill; e. The outdoor unit flexibly connected to the metal frame; wherein the outdoor unit can he pushed through the widow opening of the structure while the outdoor unit is in a horizontal position, then “flipped” 90 degrees from the horizontal position to a downward vertical position and vice versa; wherein the outdoor unit can be secured to the metal frame as the outdoor unit remains in the downward vertical position; wherein the indoor unit is inside of the structure, the outdoor unit is outside of the structure and the metal frame is mounted over the window sill like a “bridge”.
 2. The combination of ductless air conditioners and heat pumps installed in the window opening of the structure as described in claim 1, further comprising: a. The indoor unit adjustably connected to the metal frame; wherein the indoor unit is slidable in opposite directions toward or away from the outdoor unit so that the distance between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit can be increased or decreased to fit the different depths of various wall structures. b. Adjustable outdoor wail holdings affixed to the outdoor unit; if the exterior wail surface is not even, the length of the protruding portion of the outdoor wall holdings can be adjusted so that the outdoor wall holdings can rest tightly against the exterior of the structure.
 3. The combination of ductless air conditioners and heat pumps installed in the window opening of the structure as described in claim 2, further comprising: a. A security bar securing the metal frame to the interior of the window frame or the interior of the structure; wherein the security bar is slidable on the metal frame in opposite directions and expendable/retractable in length so that the security bar can be affixed against the interior of the window frame or the interior of the structure.
 4. The combination of ductless air conditioners and heat pumps installed in the window opening as described in claim 3, further comprising; a. Flexible tubing being placed inside the metal frame; wherein the flexible tubing operationally connects the indoor unit and the outdoor unit.
 5. The combination of ductless air conditioners and heat pumps installed in the window opening of the structure as described in claim 4, further comprising: a. The indoor unit having 3-side air return; wherein the indoor unit has A-shaped coils with 3-side air return in the front, in the back and at the bottom of the unit; or alternatively, the indoor unit has U-shaped coils with 3-side air return on the top, in the back and at the bottom of the unit. A-shaped coils have a drain pump while U-shaped coils have direct draining.
 6. A method for installing ductless air conditioners and heat pumps in a window opening of a structure, comprising: a. Connecting the indoor unit with the outdoor unit together via a metal frame; b. Mounting the metal frame over the window sill with the outdoor unit towards window opening; c. Pushing the outdoor unit through the winnow opening while the outdoor unit is in a horizontal position so that the length of the outdoor unit is not limited by the dimensions of the window opening; d. When the outdoor unit is outside of the structure, “flipping” the outdoor unit from the horizontal position to a downward vertical position, so that the indoor unit is inside of the structure, the outdoor unit is outside of the structure and the metal frame is mounted over the sill of the window opening like a “bridge”; e. Securing the outdoor unit to the metal frame as the outdoor unit remains in the downward vertical position; f. Sliding the indoor unit towards or away from the outdoor unit until the indoor wall holdings and the outdoor wall holdings can rest tightly against the surfaces of the structure; g. Adjusting the security bar by sliding it back and forth on the security metal and by extending or retracting it so that the security bar can be affixed to the interior of the window frame or the interior of the structure; thereby the metal frame is secured; h. If the exterior wall is uneven, adjusting the length of the protruding portion of the outdoor wall holdings, so that the outdoor wall holdings can rest tightly against the exterior of the structure. 